### Bishops Elect Conservative Leader Amidst Trump's Second Term and Immigration Controversies - On November 11, 2025, U.S. Catholic bishops elected Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City as their new president during a pivotal time marked by President Donald Trump's second term. This election reflects a significant choice for the bishops, as Coakley is recognized as a "conservative culture warrior" who is expected to lead the Church through contentious cultural and political landscapes, particularly regarding immigration policies and the treatment of migrants [https://www.thecatholicthing.org/de/2025/11/13/bishops-select-conservative-culture-warrior-to-lead-them-during-trumps-second-term]. ### Structure of the Response 1. **Election Context**: Overview of the bishops' election and its implications. 2. **Leadership Priorities**: Focus on immigration reform and the bishops' stance against Trump's deportation agenda. 3. **Cultural Dynamics**: Examination of the conservative versus progressive factions within the Church. 4. **Future Implications**: Potential impact of Coakley's leadership on U.S. Catholicism and its engagement with political issues. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Election Results**: Archbishop Paul Coakley was elected as president, succeeding a leadership that often found itself at odds with the progressive agenda of Pope Francis and now Pope Leo [https://newschannel20.com/news/nation-world/bishops-elect-coakley-stress-immigration-reform-amid-trumps-deportation-agenda-the-united-states-conference-of-catholic-bishops-pope-leo]. - **Immigration Focus**: The bishops have declared that protecting migrants will be a top priority, especially in light of escalating deportations under Trump's administration [https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/us-catholic-church-elects-new-leader-and-1762921777.html]. - **Cultural Tensions**: The election serves as a barometer for the bishops' priorities, with a notable split between conservative and progressive factions, as half of the candidates were from the conservative wing [https://apnews.com/article/us-catholic-bishops-new-leader-trump-immigration-d34d176942aa0a0faf7e9842e0973c87]. ### Summary of Findings 1. **Election of Coakley**: The U.S. Catholic bishops have elected a conservative leader, Archbishop Paul Coakley, indicating a shift towards a more traditionalist approach during a politically charged period. 2. **Immigration as a Priority**: The bishops have emphasized immigration reform and the protection of migrants, directly opposing the current administration's deportation policies. 3. **Cultural and Political Dynamics**: The election highlights ongoing tensions within the Church regarding its role in social issues, particularly as it navigates the complexities of a conservative leadership amidst a progressive papacy. 4. **Future Directions**: Coakley's presidency may shape the Church's engagement with political issues, particularly in relation to immigration and cultural debates, potentially influencing the broader landscape of U.S. Catholicism [https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/nov/11/u-s-catholic-bishops-elect-coakley-to-lead].